I work with aspiring photojournalists through the mentoring program of the National Press Photographer’s Association (NPPA) and enjoy working with a number of talented young people who could bring a lot to the profession.

But more and more, many of these young shooters question the wisdom of going into the business.

Last week, one of my mentorees — a bright student at Hollins University — announced she was switching her major and is no longer planning photography — and particularly photojournalism — as a career.

“I don’t see a future there,” she said.

There was a time when I would have tried to talk her out of such a decision. Not now. She’s right to question whether or not a career that combines photography and journalism. With newspapers laying off thousands of staff and many closing their doors for good, the profession that has been such a part of my life for the past four decades appears doomed. As the economy worsens, so does the outlook for those who make their living reporting the news.

If this were 40 years ago, I’d probably be thinking the same thing.

American Biker: A motocyclist with a tattered American flag cruises by the State Theater in Falls Church, VA, on Sept. 15, 2001 -- four days after the terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and damaged the Pentagon in nearby Arlington.

In an earlier post, I talked about grab shots. This one has paid more bills and given me more exposure than any photo I’ve taken over the past 40-some years.  It was four days past the 9/11 terrorist attacks and I drove my wife to the doctor — the Kaiser Permanente Health Center in Falls Church, VA.  I saw the flag hanging from the marquee and the message on the front of the State Theater on Washington Street so I decided to shoot a photo of the theater while waiting.

As I walked up to the theater, I heard the sound of approaching motorcycles. I shot three images with my Nikon D1 as the bikes roared by.  This was the shot that went out on the newswires the next day.

Sorrow as Floyd County falls 35-20 in State Football final at Salem Municipal Stadium on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

A reader of the Floyd Press wanted to know why I took photos of the Floyd County High School players crying after their loss to Gretna in the Virginia High School League Championship game in Salem last Saturday.

“Why couldn’t you let them have their moment of grief in private,” she asked. “Both you and The Roanoke Times took photos of them while they were crying.”

Yes we did. Eric Brady of The Roanoke Times and I both had photos of the emotion and grief that followed the game. It was a major part of the story of the game. Floyd went into the championship game 13-0 and, like the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl earlier this year, hoped to finish the season undefeated.

Sadly, that wasn’t to be and the disappointment in the players’ faces was part of the game. Other photos here.